Who is Alexis Sanchez? And Why Does Everyone Want Him?

With the rumour mill going into overdrive since the transfer window reopened one player has received more attention than most. His name is Alexis Alejandro Sanchez and a illustrious list of Europe's biggest clubs are vying for his signature, Manchester United, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juventus and Manchester City have all been linked with the Chilean forward.

He first caught the eye as part of an attacking and tactically innovative Chilean side in last years World Cup with his skillful surging runs causing opponents no end of problems from a wide right position. But as we all know a World Cup isn't really the best place to judge a player (please see El Hajj Diouf, Stephane Guivarc'h and Lukas Podolski).

This season while most players have been struggling with post World Cup hangovers Sanchez has really shone. His manager experienced Italian Francesco Guidolin has used him as a Trenquartista playing him in a more central and deeper role than he has been used to, although he did play there during a short spell with Argentine side River Plate. In this position he has been unfettered and free to invent as the perfect foil for Floro Flores and Di Natale Udinese's two strikers who have profited from the space Sanchez creates in his new role to score 41 goals between them. When asked about this move his manager explained to the Italian media:

"This year we tried to get him to play in a role that was not used to cover.  Simply working on a change to the position that he has always occupied. I wish he would play behind the strikers, who did the attacking midfielder moved slightly to the right. He knows how to beat a man, has great speed and is able to split the opposing defenses. If you can give more tactical discipline all will benefit, he first. Now he is better physically and is brighter than a few weeks ago. Must be convinced that football is not just instinct. The attacking midfielder is not necessarily the man the last step, but it can also be the one that will create the numerical superiority. I can think of Kaka."

This season he has played 31 league games scoring 12 goals and providing 6 assists. This comparison to Kaka is a big statement especially with the high regard Kaka is still held in Italy.

In the past his national team manager Claudio Borghi has compared him favourably to another iconic modern footballer, Lionel Messi, saying that:

"Alexis can be even better than Messi - physically he can do much more. I do not wish to talk nonsense, but Alexis will be one of the world's best. Messi already is."

"I consider him to be among the ten best players in the world at the moment. Sometimes your strengths and weaknesses come from the team-mates you have."

According to media reports a move to Barcelona is "80% complete", the thought of him playing alongside Messi, Iniesta and Xavi is a mouth watering prospect for most footballing purists. Former Italy manager Arrigo Sacchi when asked about the prospect of his move to the Catalans responded by saying:

""He is a real phenomenon. He would not only do a great job with Guardiola at Barcelona, but he would be of added value to any other team,"

If hardened football men like Sacchi are speaking so highly of Sanchez it seems the world is at his feet and it is obvious why so many clubs want him. But the real question of how good he is, still remains unanswered but I get the feeling we will have it answered in the coming year.